Magnus stood with Prime and Prowl as they discussed their plans. They felt that while the fragment was important, it wasn't as important as retrieving her. After another accursary sweep of the area, she was no where's to be found. Magnus never minded coming up with plans of attack in the past, but this was that rare time he just felt that the talking lasted far too long for his taste. Something that even Prime had a sense of as he casually placed a hand on his arm to try to calm him. Only when Prowl left to gather everyone to get on the ship, that is when Prime turned to Magnus.
"I know you are worried. We all are, but you know how this attitude gets soldiers hurt." Prime warned.
"I do know, and of course how do we know if she is still." He cut himself off at that horrible thought.
"I'm certain she is fine. You know she is a survivor. She is strong. We will get her back." Prime assured him as he removed his hand from him.
"We chatted a little before that alarm went off. I apologized for how I treated her. Our friendship changed because of that. She said we are still friends, but when I asked her about the change, she said it did. She felt bad for not telling me, but because of my attitude towards her." He ended it there. Even though to many they saw an expressionless face from Prime, but years of friendship made him clearly read the understanding there.
"Give it time, Magnus. That is all you can do." Prime offered before seeing Prowl hail him. "Time to leave."
Taking a deep sigh, he followed him to the ship.
Marissa woke up feeling basically the same as before as she peered around her to the darkened control panel along with the empty cave. He must of left to see Galvatron again. Testing herself out to see if it was really just plain tiredness, she slowly rose herself up to sit up. Looking outside the mouth of the cave, she was indeed alone, and pretty hungry right now. What time is it?
Testing herself out, yet again, she got off the berth as gingerly as possible to find herself standing on the ground for more then a minute. That had to count for something, where before she automatically fell on her face. Looking up at the control panel while double checking around her, she went over to see how she can climb up. Can't they provide a step stool for times like this? She quipped in her head as she found what seemed to be a legitimate foot and hand hold. Thank goodness she knew how to rock climb. Reaching for purchase, she climbed up the thing as gingerly as she did with her getting off the berth. Getting on top, she tried several things to try to activate it. When she saw the panel light up, she smiled, but quickly sneered at herself when pain hit her. Trying to raise a communication up, she found herself to be quickly grabbed.
"I just wanted a pizza. I was really hungry." Marissa joked as she stared into his optics.
"Yes, I can imagine your hungry, but this" He points to the panel as he turns it off. "Is off limits to you."
"Fine, but can I go home now? I honestly am hungry and I wouldn't mind sleeping for at least twelve hours." She wondered.
Putting her on the ground, his answer was a simple transformation into his alt mode as he lifted his canopy up. "Get in. I told you I would do that for you."
Looking at him hesitantly, she decided to climb in, and almost jumped when she was strapped in. She always felt like she was being felt up when she climbed in one of them so most of the time, she hardly got inside any of them. Call it not wanting that personal space being invaded.
They arrived on the planet that Galvatron holed himself up on with the rest of his crew. They battled. Retrieved the fragment. But no Marissa. Magnus felt more desperate as he just listened to Galvatron's retreating laughter at the possibility of her actual death, but as he thought about it the only one missing here was his SIC Cyclonus. Magnus turned to Prime to tell him what he suspected.
Meanwhile on Earth in some diner that Cyclonus landed near so as not to attract too much attention since he decided to land in the thick of the trees. Activating his holoform, he escorted her to the diner where they seated themselves towards the back. Marissa knew she looked horrible. Banged and bruised with the clothes on from yesterday that was more suitable for colder climates while he looked impeccably handsome, clean shaven, and nicely dressed. Eyeing her clothes, she sighed.
"Now I wish I had a change of clothes. I look like crap." She whispered.
He put her through a lot yesterday with his stunt, but he felt all in all, she was still a very attractive woman. "A mud pit won't phase how you look at all." He mentioned as the waitress came over.
"Howdy darlings! What can I get you?" The waitress chirped as she smiled at them. Mostly at him, Marissa noticed with amusement.
"I'll just have coffee. Still working on my meal from last night." Cyclonus told her happily with a charming smile. "My poor love here was discharged from the hospital, and you know how that food is." He added with a wink.
Finally looking at Marissa, the waitress cooed at her. "Oh I'm so sorry sweetie. How about a piece of pie on the house along with your meal? Hospital food is the worst."
Trying to smile warmly at her. Still an action that caused pain, she replied. "I wouldn't mind some tea and eggs with bacon."
"Sure honey. I'll put in your order right away." Looking back at Cyclonus she gave him a friendly wink before scampering away.
Leaning her head a bit to the side, Marissa just gazed at him. "Love that fake pile of crud you fed her. Although I think you could have told her the chicken just crossed the road and she would still give you anything you want since she had such moon eyes for you."
"I'm paying for this meal, so shhh there."
"With stolen currency I imagine." She huffed. "Criminals."
Seeing the waitress come back with their drinks, he waited as Marissa poured her hot water into her cup to dip her bag in before quickly sliding over next to her to place his arm around her shoulder. "I know you aren't fond of criminals, especially Decepticons, or me for that matter, but I didn't have to bring you back here did I?" He asked as he nuzzled her neck.
Her heart stilled as he felt his breath against her. It was strange that their holoforms did that. She didn't want to turn herself to face him so she just swallowed hard. "Why me?"
Cyclonus was about to answer when the waitress came back happily unloading Marissa's food. Watching the woman leave, he slipped back to his side to make like he was enjoying his coffee. Marissa simply and slowly ate her food. Her heart was beating hard now. She felt shaky, but she needed to eat. When she was done, she used the restroom after asking if they sold anything for travel use like toothpaste and such. When she got her little purchase, she made her way in there to freshen up. Examining the bathroom, she already noticed there was no phone going in there and there was no window as well. Annoyed with her luck, she just discarded her stuff to re-join Cyclonus.
Outside, he walked her back to where his body stood waiting, but instead of his holoform just disappearing he placed her against him gently securing his arm around her waist. "He's an idiot." He murmured gently before placing his lips on hers. Separating briefly, he added. "You know that correct?"
She tried to push away from him after that question was asked. Pulling away, she replied. "He isn't an idiot, he just made one error."
Cyclonus studied her body language. Studied what was written in those eyes of hers as his form disappeared, and his optics light up. Transforming, he said. "I'll take you wherever you wish to go."
She stayed rooted where she was. Go back to Antartica? Go back home? She really had no home, just a couple of bases she ends up in mostly, and hotel rooms. Not knowing how to answer, she found herself sitting down against a tree staring in front of her. For once in her life she felt lost. Seeing his holoforms feet again, she didn't look up at him when she spoke so softly it almost made it impossible for even him to hear her. "I don't know where to go."
Sitting down next to her, he asked. "Do you know what you want then?"
She had an inkling. A notion. She knew in the personal nature that one being didn't want it. Sure she didn't tell him point blank that she has feelings for him, but she did tell him in her own way. She never flirted with anyone like that before like she did with him. Still staring in front of her, she decided to inquire herself. "Do you know what you want?"
It was meant to make her feel better if he somehow didn't know himself, but he took her by surprise again when he gently placed her in his arms as he placed her in his lap, to kiss her again. "This. I want this." He answered honestly. "You are intoxicating."
Marissa had a feeling people were worried about her, but things somehow flew apart for her in a way as she accepted his kiss. Yes, she wondered still how Magnus kissed, but at the same time she had a feeling he wouldn't have wanted her like that. She can be friends with him. She cared enough for him to be that. She will always care for him like that, but as she thought all these feelings she should just resign herself to this intense feeling Cyclonus was giving her right now, and surrender. But she found herself saying no as she slipped off his lap. "I'm sorry, I can't."
He reached out to her to guide her up. Staring silently at her, he made a mental note to himself as he left her alone to make a communication. A silent one before saying to her. "He'll be here soon to pick you up."
His voice sounded so different. "Who?" She asked as she looked up at his normal face.
"Who do you think?" That time his voice hinted the conviction there as he took a step away from her. "Shouldn't be too long, they were close to Earth anyhow."
"Cyclonus?" She paused as she examined his face. "I shouldn't have feelings for you as well."
First his optics widened at her confession before narrowing as he contemplated something. "I wasn't expecting mines for you." He admitted forlornly before he took a few more steps away as he took off.
Marissa's mouth widened before she slowly clambered to a point in the highway where she will spot her friends so they can pick her up, but as she waited, she just held herself tightly wishing she can get back to where she was way before all this started happening.
A half hour later, she spotted Ultra Magnus rolling up next to her where she sat. Watching the door swing open on its own accord, she smiled as she gladly climbed into the front. "Surprised you guys didn't send Jetfire or someone else to get me." She said as she curled up into the seat.
Watching the rare holoform of Magnus appear, he flashed her an instant look of concern as he wanted to touch her to examine her, but stayed to just doing it with his eyes. Noting the cuts and bruises, he asked. "I wanted to get you myself."
"My hero." She remarked as her head hit heavily against the back of the cushion. "Sorry about that." She thought she was weak before, but the sudden gentle feeling of his hand against her face made her breathing stop as she focused back on him.
"Don't apologize. I was very worried about you, Marissa. When I saw your ship like that..." He halted himself as he didn't want to verbalize it, he instead wrapped her up in his arms. "I'm glad you are all right."
This was the first time they did this. They never hugged. It might be his holoform, but still the very act made her eyes widen at first before closing to take it in. It felt so good. "I had to do that. I didn't want all those civilians hurt, Magnus. That is our job to keep them safe." She said softly. She might of sounded husky, but she didn't care. This felt good.
Pulling away from her slightly, he brushed some hair back as he gazed at her face, he smiled at her. "I know, but I'm allowed to worry."
The delicious pull of this as she had him so close to her. She ran her hand through his hair as a symbolic gesture of some kind at first, but she was so close as she placed her lips against his own. She felt him stiffen at her movement. Than hesitation. Followed by more statue like action from him. When he started to respond, he pushed away from her with a look in his eyes, she honestly couldn't read before he disappeared and was replaced by his voice in the cabin.
"Right. We should get you back and looked at." Magnus stammered as he pulled onto the highway.
Marissa felt empty all of a sudden. She guessed that was her answer from him on how he really felt for her. Moving herself to look straight ahead on the seat, she just stayed silent as they drove to their destination. A destination that seemed even further away then usual.